“Yeah. Why?”
Ryan shrugged. “Never know if we might meet up with a bear or cougar.”
Fuck. “Aren’t they hibernating or something? It’s only March.” Alex had never shot an animal in his life. When he’d packed his weapons that morning he hadn’t been thinking of bears. Maybe he’d keep the Beretta out.
“Never know. I’ve seen black bears in January out here.”
“Hungry?” Alex scanned the forest. He couldn’t see deeper than twenty feet in most places. How many animals were lurking, watching them?
Ryan grinned at the higher pitch of Alex’s question. “Nah, usually more curious or scared of us. Just wave your arms at them. Make a lot of noise.”
“I thought you’re supposed to play dead.”
“That’s when you’re caught by a grizzly. You won’t see grizzly around here.”
Alex winced. Could he tell a black bear from a grizzly? He hadn’t been to the zoo in thirty years.
Ryan tipped his head at Thomas. “Thomas has met up with grizzlies. He’s originally from Alaska.” Ryan’s blue eyes lit up. “He’s got this great .44 Magnum Ruger Redhawk. Huge revolver that he carried up there in case of a grizzly encounter.”
Alex pictured the big man hiking past a bear, ignoring the angry animal the same way he ignored Alex. As far as Alex had seen, nothing fazed Thomas Todoroff.
“Aim for the brain,” Ryan added helpfully.
“Thanks a lot,” Alex muttered.
“Take a break, guys.” Jim’s words carried over Ryan and Alex and up to Thomas, who immediately halted and slung off his pack, hooking it on a nearby sturdy branch. The big guy squatted on his heels, pulled out some sort of energy bar, and began eating.
Jim held up a huge, oatmealy looking bar wrapped in plastic and cocked his eyebrows in question to the other team members. Alex, Thomas, and Brynn shook their heads, but Ryan nodded and Jim tossed him the bar. Ryan unwrapped it and crammed half in his mouth.
“Why’re we stopping again already?” Alex’s feet itched to keep moving, lost cause or not. They’d already taken several breaks and he wasn’t hungry, thirsty, or too tired, but his stomach was slightly nauseous and a little shaky. He just wanted to push through the symptoms and get this trip over with. He left his pack on, confronting Jim in even tones.
Brynn and Jim had removed their packs. Ryan stood next to Alex, his pack still on, mouth full, his attention flitting between Jim and Alex.
“It’s just for ten minutes,” Jim stated.
Alex scanned the group, taking a hard look at Brynn, who was speaking to the dog, her back to Alex. Was she the reason Jim wasn’t picking up the pace? “No one looks tired.”
“We rest before we get tired. And even though you’re soaking wet, drink something.” Jim’s tone sharpened, his voice belying the calm gaze that met Alex’s.
“We’re moving too damned slow.”
“It’s called pacing. Ever heard of it? Should be key in triathlons.”
“He never did triathlons.” Ryan grinned around the words and popped the rest of his bar in his mouth. Apparently, the younger man liked to push Jim’s buttons a little.
Jim narrowed his eyes at Ryan then swung his gaze to Alex. “What? Your boss said—”
“Am I slacking? Am I having trouble keeping up?” Alex felt new sweat start on his forehead.
Jim shook his head, eyes angry.
“Then it’s not important.”
“The only reason Collins let you on the team was because your boss insisted you were in some incredible physical shape.”
“Doesn’t matter now, does it? It’s a moot point.” Alex glanced at his watch. “How long we sitting here?”
“Until I’m done taking a piss.” Jim spun around and stomped into the thick trees, letting the wet branches fling water back at the waiting group. Brynn’s forehead wrinkled as she watched Jim vanish in the deep brush and her brown eyes turned to scrutinize Alex.
Alex calmly met the three stares as his mouth went dry. He’d stepped over an invisible line. “Is there a problem?”
“Any other lies we need to know about?” Brynn simply looked curious.
“Wasn’t my lie. How was I to know my boss would say something like that?” Uncomfortable with his words, Alex looked away from Brynn into Thomas’s deep eyes. The man was regarding Alex like a lion spying its prey.
“You didn’t answer her question,” the big man stated.
Alex met his stare. “There’s nothing else you need to know.”
“This is a team. If there’s something we need to know that could affect the safety and the results of this operation, let’s hear it now,” Thomas rumbled.
Alex said nothing. What could he tell them? It was too early to open that can of worms. When they got closer to the crash site, he’d pull Jim aside and tell him the truth.
Well, part of the truth.
“Alex?” Brynn prompted.
Her brown eyes had lost the dancing luster he’d seen at the trailhead and it depressed him. So far, watching her had been keeping him sane. Her enthusiasm for the outdoors and her affection for her dog were engrossing. Not quite distracting enough to ignore the rain and icy wind, but every little bit helped.
He bit his tongue and looked away, his mind scrambling for words to change their focus. “Sorry. I’m in a hurry to get in there. Linus, the marshal on this flight, was a good friend. I need to know…” It was the first time Alex had mentioned the name of the marshal from the missing plane. He used to consider Linus Carlson one of his closest friends. Their families had even been together for a Christmas or two. Before.